McClellan was nowhere near as good as people make him out to be... he was a very flawed, exceptionally hard punching midleweight who's only really notable victories were against a significantly smaller, older fighter who was ready to be taken anyway (Julian Jackson) He just wasnt THAT good That said, he hit hard enough to discourage a 37 year old Roberto Duran who had been fighting for 21 years, so I would have to favor him here... but hell, I like the Duran that showed up against Hagler to decision him, perhaps even stop him late
Yes..the same one. Duran didn't hit anywhere near as hard as Benn at Middleweight and at 37 years old. No where near! Besides Benn seemed to be a possessed animal that night and wouldn't be denied.
I find it almost impossible to believe Duran would survive McClellan's arsenal. For all his flaws, McClellan's punch was better than good, & greater than great. It was, simply, fantastic, & it carries the day here.
NO version of Duran at 160 beats Gerald. And I love Duran, and hate that worthless prick G-man. Hagler was certainly better than Gerald, but he wasnt half the puncher G-man was. Neither was Barkley. G-man ends Duran within 4. Simply too big, and too much firepower.
Really? I mean, McClellan undoubtedly hit like the proverbial mule, but he couldn't get rid of Benn despite hitting him with everything he had. Don't get me wrong here- I'm not trying to downplay Benn here because for all his faults he is one of my favourite ever fighters. Ever. But he was hittable all his life and extremely hurtable-Eubanks had him out on his feet and Watson knocked him spark out to name just two. Neither of these guys, for all their respective strengths, were considered the murderous puncher McClellan was yet they got a job done that he couldn't... I'm not saying that McClellan couldn't punch, because he clearly could and very fucking hard, but his reputation was largely built on knocking out bums and an old Julian Jackson, who himself built his career around little more than ridiculous power in both fists. When McClellan needed his vaunted power the most, it pretty much failed him. Truly fantastic (your words) punchers knock Nigel Benn out. McClellan didn't. MTF
Hearns' power at 147 laid Duran out cold. McClellan's at 160 is certain to do the same. Certain. Pound-for-pound, McClellan was a comparable puncher to Hearns --- factoring in the extra weight (& let's not forget McClellan was the absolute KING of the modern-day drainers) of an over-sized Middle like McClellan &, to me, a Duran victory is predicated almost entirely on him not getting hit in this fight, because I cannot possibly see him shaking off McClellan's punch.
with nowhere near the skill level Ernie Shavers hit harder than Muhammad Ali by 10,000 light years... which one of 'em stopped Jerry Quarry?
